You say this temple points you to Jesus, but did you listen to anything He said?

You say this temple points you to Jesus, but did you listen to anything He said?

Image - Remo Casilli / Reuters

The LDS Church just opened an impressive new temple in Rome and you can go on a guided tour of some of their most sacred areas.  But if you listen closely you can see that their emphasis is not on Jesus.

  1. President Russel M. Nelson explains how the purpose of the temple is for the ordinances of the gospel.
    • The Gospel (the books of Matthew, Mark, Luke and John) does not give any instruction for sacred rituals on behalf of the living or the dead.
  2. "Come and see the beauty of the temple"
    • come and see where the LDS followers make promises to be better people
    • More like look how we're just like the Catholic Church in Rome too
  3. "Notice how the focus is on our Saviour as represented by the paintings"
    • No, the focus is on the white marble, perfectly manicured grounds, clean and white surroundings, expensive artwork, and high end furnishings.
    • If you just look to the right there is a painting of some trees in a very serine forest setting.  Maybe the focus is also on Gaia the forest god.  Actually if you will pay particular attention to MOST of the artwork in the temple, most of them don't have Christ (or anyone) in the artwork. This temple is completely void of the atonement of BLOOD for our sins, in what you observe on the walls or in the rituals performed.
    • Jesus said “This cup is the new covenant in My blood; do this, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me."
  4. "Unless he is born of THE water and the spirit"
    • Jesus actually said "Except a man be born of water and of the Spirit" (John 3:5, KJV)
    • There is a HUGE difference here and water baptism is not in context in this passage, nor did Jesus ever imply that we must do anything to inherit eternal life but trust in Him in faith (John 3:16).  No mention of any temple.
  5. "Baptism for the remission of sins is an essential saving ordinance in the gospel of Jesus Christ"
    • Nope, Water baptism is an outward sign that we have given our lives to Jesus, but not a requirement for salvation (Luke 23:40–43).
  6. "Baptism for the dead was taught by the Apostle Paul"
    • This is the only place in scripture where baptism for the dead is mentioned. If it were so important, it would have be expounded on my Paul or other writers, it isn't taught as doctrine, it isn't commended by Paul or other writers of the Bible or by early Church Fathers, it isn't taught as something that should be done
    • It is just an off-handed argument here showing that their practice was not consistent with their belief.
    • It is likely the Corinthians were concerned about believers who died before they could be baptised, and feared some spiritual loss as a result.
    • Paul was merely referencing vicarious baptism to demonstrate the inconsistencies of denying the resurrection and yet baptising the deceased.
  7. "They then have the opportunity to accept or reject that loving offering of that ordinance" (baptism for the dead)
    • This doctrine is to provide access to salvation for the deceased, but Hebrews has a very different view of your opportunities after death.
    • Hebrews 9:27 King James Version (KJV) And as it is appointed unto men once to die, but after this the judgement
    • What about the rich man and Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31), Abraham points out there was a "great gulf" between them and the could not pass.  Not, don't worry, your relatives will baptise you at some point and you'll be released.
      • 24 And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame.
      • 26 And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence.

 

Just an FYI, did you know that the LDS Church baptised Hitler by proxy.

 

Hitler's Baptism Record by the LDS Church
Hitler's Baptism Record by the LDS Church
  1. "The olive tree reminds us of the Garden of Gethsemane, the sacred site of the Savour's Atonement"
    • Actually this is where Jesus asked “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me: nevertheless not my will, but thine, be done." (Luke 22:24) and then was betrayed by Judas, taken to the Pharisees, tried before Pontius Pilate and then taken to Golgotha where he was crucified and our sins were Atoned for.  Atoned through his blood.
    • If I say to my dad, "yes I'll clean the garage", have I obeyed him when I said I'd do it, or when I get off my posterior and the garage is actually clean?
  2. "We learn about the plan of happiness"
    • Sorry, God's ultimate purpose for you is not to be happy, it is to bring you closer to Him.  (John 16:33), In fact he states that acceptance of the gospel is going to make things hard, but don't worry there's Joy (peace) because he is in charge.  He is in control, he knows all things, plans all things and controls all things, there is nothing that is outside his knowledge or power.  That is greater than happiness, it gives us Joy in spite of our circumstances, because circumstances come and go.
      • 33 These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world.
  3. "A covenant is a pledge, a special promise to God that we will obey God's commandments"
    • Look at the Jews, they broke that covenant with God time and time and time again.  But God says:  (Isaiah 48:11)
      • For mine own sake, even for mine own sake, will I do it: for how should my name be polluted? and I will not give my glory unto another.
    • Salvation is provided by God's Power Only. Not by my ability (inability) to attain perfection.
  4. "That marriage lasts not till' death do us part, but for all of eternity"
    • Actually, Mark 12:25 states
      • For when they shall rise from the dead, they neither marry, nor are given in marriage; but are as the angels which are in heaven.
  5. "there were temples anciently, there are temples today, anciently there were 12 apostles, today there are also 12 apostles with the same authority"
    • Same authority?  Why aren't they in the local hospitals healing the lame and making the blind see?

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